Background

The world is overpopulated with bad managers. Most of the time nothing changes, due to natural inertia and the fact that often their bosses are equally poor at management and communication. (As an interesting aside, read about the Peter Principle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle)

For permanent employees there are (usually) procedures to deal with problems with bosses and colleagues, however ineffective they may be.

Consultants have no such luxuries – it’s a case of grin and bear it, or walk away if the client, manager, or colleagues make work life unbearable. But walking away costs money and damages your reputation with agencies.

What’s It Really Like to Work at a Client?

Normally when you accept a contract, the client is a black box – you have no idea what you’re walking into. Before accepting a contract, wouldn’t you like to know:

• Are the management competent and professional? (Unlikely, but we live in hope)
• Will I have the resources to do a professional job?
• How much corporate BS will I have to endure?
• Will I be working in a proper office or a freezing portacabin under a leaking pipe bridge?
• Is there a comfortable working atmosphere?
• Are the permanent staff welcoming to contractors, or openly hostile?
• Is there a decent canteen on site?
• If not, where can I get lunch that won’t bankrupt me?
• What accommodation is available locally and what’s it actually like?
• Is there reliable public transport, or do I need a car?

For larger companies with multiple sites, you can’t simply say “XYZ is good” or “ABC is terrible.” Each location has its own culture, management style, and working conditions. Even within the same site, your experience can vary dramatically depending on the department, project, and team.

Why We Need Your Input

Consultants are routinely taken advantage of by clients, agencies, and payroll companies. The system works because consultants are isolated – you suffer in silence, finish the contract, and move on without warning others.

It’s time to break that cycle. Share your experiences – good and bad – so fellow consultants can make informed decisions. If enough people tell it like it is, maybe things will start to change. At minimum, you’ll help others avoid the worst clients and seek out the better ones.

Your honest feedback today could save another consultant from months of misery tomorrow.